Bridge replacement completed south of Moranbah

A new $6 million bridge over Cherwell Creek, south of Moranbah, is now complete, improving flood immunity, productivity and driver safety.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said construction of the new bridge had been funded under the Australian Government's popular Bridges Renewal Program, along with funding from Isaac Regional Council and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).

“Our Bridges Renewal Program is helping to build better, safer bridges around the nation. Round Three projects have just been announced, continuing our agenda of upgrading and repairing bridges to improve access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access,” Mr Chester said.

“We have committed $420 million to the program from 2015–16 to 2020–21, which will be used in conjunction with funding from Councils and State authorities to fix and replace hundreds of bridges around the nation.”

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said said the Cherwell Creek bridge was a great example of Commonwealth funding flowing through to where it was most needed.

“I'm proud to have fought for this project, with the end result being $2.75 million in funding from the Government to help replace the old Cherwell Creek bridge with a higher, wider and far more flood-resistant structure. What that money has helped deliver is a new two-lane concrete bridge and better approaches to the bridge, as well as a bridge deck which is seven metres higher and able to resist one-in-100-year flood events,” Ms Landry said.

Isaac Regional Mayor Anne Baker said the project would improve traffic flow as well as road safety.

“After some delays due to Tropical Cyclone Debbie, motorists driving between Moranbah and Dysart or accessing the surrounding mines will now benefit from a safer, more efficient crossing. The project contractors used many local and regional businesses which in turn helped drive Isaac's economy. This includes 1100 cubic metres of concrete and 6000 cubic metres of gravel from a local business in Moranbah,” Cr Baker said.

BMA Asset President Rag Udd said the bridge upgrade was good news for the region.

“It keeps our communities connected, people safe and operations productive—an excellent example of working together to build the region,” Mr Udd said.